So here we are with only three weeks left of school, and I have to say that it’s easily one of my favorite times of the year. Not because summer is right around the corner and because the holiday season is in sight, but because it’s the time of the year when we get to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished as a school. The next few weeks are all about celebrations, and in my opinion it’s a beautiful thing to see…we celebrate our students at graduation and moving on ceremonies, we celebrate academic achievement at our academic award ceremonies, we have our athletic awards night and our major year-end award assembly where we celebrate kids in so many areas beyond athletics and academics, and we celebrate in smaller, more individual ways with year-end MAP scores, positive student directed feedback from teachers, and portfolio reflections around goal completion. So much goes into a successful year as you know, and I love that we are constantly looking for ways to celebrate our kids, and purposely sending them off on their holidays with a true sense and feeling of accomplishment…like I mentioned, it’s a great time of the year!

All that said, I know that for teachers these next three weeks can be stressful and overwhelming, and often times we can get so caught up in all that’s going on that we forget to slow down, reflect, and find time to celebrate ourselves. All of these student accomplishments don’t happen without dedicated, committed, and passionate educators, and as we speed toward that final Friday, I want to make sure that our teachers…YOU… are celebrated for all that you’ve given to our community. I know that we have a few upcoming celebrations planned to recognize years of service, departing teachers, and one final happy hour where we can toast each other to an amazing year completed, but before all of that I want to publicly say thank you to each and every one of you for your outstanding work here at AC.

I see how you go above and beyond in so many ways…I see how many hours you put in beyond the regular school day to ensure that our kids are getting the education that they deserve…I see the tremendous effort that you put in to developing strong relationships with our students and with each other, and I see how our school has literally been transformed because of who you are as people…I want to celebrate you! I feel an immense sense of pride when I think about all that we’ve accomplished as a team, and how far we’ve come as a school because of your amazing contributions. I had a chance to reflect last week during a couple of long plane rides, and honestly, it’s staggering to think about how far we’ve come throughout my time here…it’s a fact that most, if not all of the transformative work across our school would not have been completed or successful if it wasn’t for who you are as educators…absolutely incredible.

The biggest piece for me however, has been the unwavering positive attitude that you’ve come to school with each and every day. Throughout the good times and the struggles it has been your inspiring attitudes that have impressed me the most. You always frame every initiative, every decision, and every minute of the day around what is best for our students, and that for me is my biggest celebration of you…attitude is everything, and you’ve inspired me every day with yours…thank you. Here is one of my favorite poems, which speaks to who you are as a faculty…never giving up, always trying to make things better, and forever framing a situation through a positive lens. Enjoy the next three weeks everyone and please take the time to celebrate each other along the way…it’s been quite a year!

The Greatest – By Don Schlitz

Little boy in a baseball hat,

Stands in the field with his ball and bat

Says, “I am the greatest player of them all”
Puts his bat on his shoulder and he tosses up his ball.
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down,
Swings his bat all the way around
the world so still you can hear the sound; the baseball falls to the ground.

Now the little boy doesn’t say a word, picks up his ball he is undeterred.
Says, “I am the greatest that there has ever been”
And he grits his teeth and he tries again.
And the ball goes up and the ball comes down,
Swings his bat all the way around
the world so still you can hear the sound; the baseball falls to the ground.

He makes no excuses he shows no fear
He just closes his eyes and listens to the cheers.
Little boy he adjusts his hat, picks up his ball, stares at his bat
Says, “I am the greatest when the game is on the line”
And he gives his all one last time.
And the ball goes up and the moon so bright
Swings his bat with all his might
the world’s as still as still can be, the baseball falls
and that’s strike three.

Now it’s suppertime and his momma calls,
little boy starts home with his bat and ball.
Says, “I am the greatest, that is a fact,
but even I didn’t know I could pitch like that!”